Every year, it feels like the holidays arrive faster than the year before, and somehow our schedules keep getting fuller. While I don’t have a magic answer for how to manage the mounting expectations (or the endless invitations), I do believe that learning how to prep for the holidays with realistic intentions and expectations can help us navigate the so-called, “happiest time of year,” with a little more peace and ease.
Think about it this way: just like it’s stressful to buy gifts at the last minute, approaching the holidays without a plan can leave you feeling frazzled, scattered, and maybe even resentful. Like you blinked and all of a sudden, the gifts have been unwrapped, the food is gone, and you weren’t even able to take a minute to enjoy the moment. Around this time of year, it’s especially easy to let everyone else’s expectations take center stage, which often leaves very little space for your own needs.
The good news? A little forethought can go a long way. By planning ahead, you create opportunities to actually show up—present, grounded, and engaged—rather than thinking about what’s left on your to-do list. Taking accountability for our choices (and not just defaulting to what’s asked of us) helps us design a holiday season where we can actually enjoy the moments we’ve been waiting for.
To help with that, I’ve pulled together a list of eight practical ways to prepare for the holiday season and truly understand how to prep for the holidays in a way that feels more peaceful and meaningful.
1. Identify Your Non-Negotiables
What are the things you absolutely don’t want to miss? Maybe it’s a holiday concert, decorating cookies with your kids, or attending a religious service that holds meaning for you. For me, it’s cookie baking, opening presents, and Christmas movie classics.
Write those down and put them on your calendar first. These become your “anchors.” These items can be moved on the schedule if needed, but they are not allowed to be deleted. Extra tip: plan them early in the season, because inevitably someone will get sick or something fun will pop up last minute that you don’t want to miss. Build in flexibility without having to sacrifice the most important parts. Knowing what’s non-negotiable makes it easier to let go of things that aren’t as important.
2. Practice Saying No
Let’s be honest: saying no can feel almost impossible in the moment, especially when someone asks face-to-face. Genuinely, even as a therapist, this one is HARD for me. My default tends to be, “let me look at our calendar and I’ll get back to you,” or some other way to buy myself some time.
That’s why it helps to prepare a few “canned” responses ahead of time. For example:
- “That sounds fun, unfortunately our schedules can’t handle any more right now.”
- “Thanks so much for thinking of me, but I don’t have the bandwidth to add anything else right now.”
Extra tip: you could add an alternative option for after the holidays if that feels good to you too.
The more you practice these lines, the easier it will be to protect your time, energy, and wallet. The guilt might still be there, but that’s okay. We don’t let guilt make decisions for us.
Learning how to prep for the holidays also means knowing that protecting your energy is part of the plan, not something you have to apologize for.
3. Plan Ahead for Traditions
What holiday traditions matter most to you? Maybe it’s rewatching your favorite holiday movie (I have a full movie schedule we follow every year to make sure the important ones are watched), baking a special recipe (cutout cookies and almond bark cookies are non-negotiables in my house), or going to see light displays (free magic).
For me, there are certain activities I want to pass down to my child, so I make sure to schedule them early. I want these activities to be solid positive memories that both me and my child can go back to time and time again in our minds and relive the positive experiences. That means I plan ahead so I’m not stressed. I keep my expectations about what it will look like low and focus more on the experience than the outcomes.
That’s one of the key parts of how to prep for the holidays, knowing what matters most and intentionally making space for it.
4. Schedule Down Time
The holidays are full of opportunities: parties, school events, work gatherings, family dinners, community events, religious celebrations—you name it. It’s easy to fill every inch of your calendar because truly, there’s no shortage of events during the end of the year. But you’ll burn out quickly if you do.
I’m sure I’ll get some pushback about resting after the holidays and whatever else, but I promise you, life just stays busy and recovering from burnout and resentment is no joke. What you overspend today, you are taking from tomorrow. Protect your energy by scheduling down time.
Even a cozy afternoon at home or a quiet walk outside can reset your nervous system. Think of it as “holiday maintenance”—preventing the crabby, exhausted, overstimulated version of yourself from making an appearance. Whether it’s your morning routine or a Sunday reset, put it on your calendar just like any other event this time of year because it’s just as important.
5. Make It Easy on Yourself
This is where a little bit of strategy pays off. Stock a few go-to host gifts so you’re not scrambling on your way out the door. Prep freezer meals in advance to cover those evenings when cooking feels impossible (or acknowledge that from time to time, cereal and frozen burritos are perfectly fine).
Create systems now—when you have the bandwidth—so you don’t feel stretched thin later. It’s not about being hyper-organized or foreseeing every obstacle; it’s about recognizing that day-to-day things still need to happen even when special events are happening.
This is a big part of how to prep for the holidays, making it easier on yourself so you can actually enjoy the season.
6. Use Therapy as a Tool
The holidays have a way of stirring up old family dynamics, grief, and expectations. There are no shortages of triggers or out-of-the-ordinary events that can stir up old wounds. Therapy can be a safe space to reflect on what’s coming up for you, notice patterns, and strengthen boundaries.
Even one or two sessions during this season can help you feel grounded and supported. Sometimes spilling everything to a third party is more liberating than you realize.
7. Prioritize Sleep and Hydration
Your body’s basic needs don’t take a holiday. In fact, they matter more than ever when routines shift. The combination of heavier foods, extra sugar, holiday cocktails, and travel can take a toll.
And that toll tends to feel like it comes out of the blue and hits you like a freight train, leaving you asking, “What just happened?” and “What’s wrong with me?” Protect your foundation: aim for consistent sleep and drink enough water.
You’ll handle the stress (and the fun) much better if your body isn’t running on empty trying to survive on sugar and holiday spirits.
8. Limit Social Media Scrolling
Scrolling can quickly lead to comparison, FOMO, or just information overload. Suddenly, you’re bombarded with “perfect” decorations, elaborate holiday crafts, over-the-top gifts, or endless activities you should be doing.
Instead of inspiring you, it can leave you feeling inadequate or drained and you just don’t need that extra thing, ever, but especially this time of year.
Try setting a timer on your phone or swapping scrolling for a grounding holiday activity—reading a festive book, watching a cozy movie, or doing a puzzle. Giving your hands something else to do helps you resist the urge to scroll, and your mind will thank you for the break. You’ll look back on the season with more positive experiences to savor.
Wrapping It All Up
The holidays don’t have to be a sprint where you collapse at the finish line. They can be a season of meaning, connection, and even rest if you approach them with intention.
Pick the traditions that light you up, say no when you need to, and take care of your body and mind. With just a little planning, you’ll create space to actually enjoy the moments that matter most.
That’s really what how to prep for the holidays is about, choosing presence over perfection, calm over chaos, and meaning over obligation.
If you’re finding yourself stretched thin or struggling to stay grounded this holiday season, you’re not alone. At Redbird Wellness, we help individuals and couples navigate stress, boundaries, and emotional overload, especially during busy seasons like this.
Reach out today to learn how therapy can help you prep for the holidays (and beyond) with more calm, clarity, and connection.